The Consejería de Cultura, Política Llingüística y Deporte has awarded the Juan Uría Ríu Research Prize 2026 to Jonathan Álvarez Díaz for his work titled Los campus universitarios en España: el legado del Movimiento Moderno. El caso de la Universidad de Oviedo. The jury of this year's 43rd edition has unanimously acknowledged a study that enhances understanding of university architectural heritage and offers fresh perspectives on the history of contemporary architecture.
The research examines university campuses as spaces that narrate the story of an era. By analysing the modern movement and its influence at the University of Oviedo, the study contributes to the understanding of a segment of architectural heritage that has been integral to the daily lives of generations of students and the evolution of higher education.
The jury particularly valued the robustness of the work, its structure, and its contribution to recent lines of inquiry in art history. They also highlighted the use of original documentary sources, many of which are unpublished, along with a carefully curated bibliography that reinforces the scientific rigor of the work.
This year, various studies on stages and aspects of recent history and heritage in Asturias were submitted for consideration. Topics included industrial architecture, the evolution of Asturian society in the early 20th century, and popular beliefs.
The Juan Uría Ríu Prize reaches its 43rd edition this year, recognising the efforts of those dedicated to studying the history and cultural heritage of Asturias. Named after the Asturian historian Juan Uría Ríu, the award is part of the initiatives by the ministry aimed at promoting research and the dissemination of knowledge. Behind each research project lies years of archival exploration, document study, and new inquiries into our past. Works like those recognised in this edition enable the recovery of information, open new lines of study, and enhance understanding of how Asturias has been shaped.
